Best Gifts For a Kayaker

Kayaking Lake Scene - Best Gifts For a Kayaker

Updated July 17, 2024

Gift-giving is one of the great joys in life for the giver as well as the receiver.  In this world of plenty finding a meaningful one that demonstrates the intended level of care can be challenging.

If you are selecting a gift for a kayak enthusiast the number of choices available that have a high probability of being appreciated is pretty bountiful.  Especially for a giver who is not especially knowledgeable about kayaking, I’ve put together 20 items of gear and accessories to choose from or as food for thought.

Do you have any questions about the gift ideas presented?  If so, I’d love to hear from you.  Maybe I can offer some advice or come up with some additional thoughts.  Otherwise, you can go to some of the links provided to get more information and reviews of similar gear and accessories.  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll see what we can do.

Best Gifts For a Kayaker – Some Ideas to Consider

Best Gifts For a Kayaker

Aomekie 7 x 50 Marine Binoculars

Great for charting your course and bringing the distant scenery a bit closer, binoculars are a great gift for a kayaker as a tool and a source of enjoyment. The Aomekie Marine Binoculars are an excellent candidate for a gift with durable rubber-armored coating, waterproofing, fog-resistance, an internal range finder, and a compass, and they float.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top marine binoculars, please check out this post:  Marine Binoculars

WRSI Trident Composite Kayak Helmet

When you decide to take on whitewater, head protection is a priority.  The WRSI Composite Kayak Helmet has a durable carbon composite shell with a polyurethane sub-shell rated for rigorous conditions up to Class IV rapids but also makes a great gift for the all-around recreational kayaker.  It’s comfortable and lightweight, designed for a secure fit as you bounce through the rapids.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak helmets, please check out this post:  Kayak Helmets

Stohlquist Edge Life Vest

A quality life vest that provides a margin of safety and a design that facilitates comfortable freedom of movement is what every kayaker looks for.  The Stohlquist Edge has large arm openings, an ergonomic design, and mesh sides to keep you cool on a hot day of paddling.  An offset main zipper helps facilitate easy overhead on and off and when you find yourself in the water, there is plenty of buoyancy as well as 3M reflective panels for visibility.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak life vests, please check out these posts:  Kayak Life Vests     Kayak Life Vests For Women     Kayak Fishing Life Vests

O’Neill Epic 4/3mm Backzip Full Kayak Wetsuit

When your kayaker plans to brave moderately cold temperatures, a comfortable flexible wetsuit makes a great gift.  The O’Neill Men’s Epic 4/3mm Backzip Full Wetsuit is a good choice.  With its lumbar seamless design and extra flexible neoprene in the arms and torso, paddling is easy and warm.

Women’s Version

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak wetsuits, please check out this post:  Kayak Wetsuits

Seattle Sports Sea Rover Kayak Compass

Not everyone has one, but any serious kayaker would love to have a good compass mounted in front to help them stay on track.  The Seattle Sports Sea Rove Kayak Compass has a non-slip base and is easily attached to deck rigging or a deck bag with adjustable nylon straps and quick-release buckles.  It’s durable, can be read from the top or sides, and gets great reviews from users.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak compasses, please check out this post:  Kayak Compasses

Attwood Grapnel Kayak Anchor

Kayaking typically involves forward movement across a lake or bay or shooting through rapids moving downstream.  Occasionally, though, stopping temporarily onshore for a break or mid-water for some fishing is in order.  That’s when your kayaker will appreciate the gift of a handy durable grapnel anchor like this Attwood model.  It comes with a 25-foot anchor line, large snap hook, marker buoy, and nylon storage case.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak anchors, please check out this post:  Kayak Anchors

NRS Kayak Bilge Pump and Basic Touring Safety Kit

For those kayaks that aren’t self-bailing, when water accumulates in the hull, a bilge pump is just the ticket to clear it out in a hurry.  Your kayaker will appreciate the gift of this 21-inch basic bilge pump that can remove 8 gallons per minute.  The package also includes a sponge for mopping up, an emergency whistle, and a paddle float.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak bilge pumps, both electric and hand models, please check out this post:  Kayak Bilge Pumps

Malone Handirack Inflatable Universal Kayak Rack

An inflatable or folding kayak can just be loaded in the trunk and easily transported to the destination launch area.  If you have a solid body kayak, however, the size and weight require a little bit more.  The Malone Handirack Inflatable Universal Kayak Rack is a good choice as a gift because it will fit most cars with front and rear windows and doesn’t take a lot of research on your part as the purchaser.  It’s an inflatable, lightweight system not requiring any cross-rails or tools to install.  A double-action hand pump is included which enables set-up in minutes.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak roof racks, please check out this post:  Kayak Roof Rack Systems

Railblaza C-Tug Kayak or Canoe Cart

After the car is parked, the kayak still needs to make its way to the water.  If there is only one person, the distance is great, and/or the kayak is pretty heavy, a good cart will prevent getting tuckered out before the paddling even begins.  This durable Railblaza Kayak Cart assembles without tools, dismantles in under 20 seconds, and fits inside a kayak hatch.  Adjustable rubber pads suit almost any kayak and it weighs less than 10 pounds with a large capacity of 300 pounds.  This is a great gift to take a load off your kayaker’s back.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak carts, please check out this post: Kayak Carts

Oru Kayak Beach LT Foldable Kayak

For the kayaker that wants classic sit-in styling and doesn’t want to hassle with mounting it on a car rack or lugging it to shoreside, the Oru Kayak Beach LT Folding Kayak is an awesome gift.  It has durable double-layered polypropylene construction and folds into a 26-pound suitcase for easy portage.  Setting up takes minutes and your kayaker will quickly be paddling from the comfortable adjustable seat.  It is UV treated, has 3 bulkheads for rigidity, 140 liters of storage below deck, and reflective deck lines for visibility.

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For more details on this kayak and reviews of a range of other top models, please check out these posts:  Lake Kayaks     Touring Kayaks    Tandem Kayaks     Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners     Ocean Kayaks     Fishing Kayaks     Beginner Kayaks     Recreational Kayaks     Inflatable Kayaks

Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag

With the proximity to the water and opportunities to get wet inherent to kayaking, a good waterproof dry bag for gear and supplies is a welcome gift.  Made with durable 420 denier nylon with TPU lamination, the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag is completely waterproof and abrasion-resistant.  With a roll-up closure and D-ring attachment points to secure it to the kayak, it comes in sizes from 3 to 65 liters in 5 eye-catching colors.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top dry bags, please check out this post:  Waterproof Kayaking Bags

Speedo Men’s Water Shoe Surfwalker Pro 3.0

With a soft comfortable 3mm neoprene upper and thin, sensitive traction sole, The Sea to Summit Ultraflex Booties make a great gift for a kayaker for warm water use that will also serve well for a range of watersports including SUP, surfing, rafting, and sailing.  It has a Y-pull Velcro strap system for secure closure, non-chafing stitch lines, and a synthetic lining, and comes in sizes from 5 to 12.

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For more details on these booties and reviews of other shoes for kayaking including cold water models, please check out this post: Kayaking Water Shoes

Kokotat Hydrus Meridian Kayak Drysuit

For truly cold conditions, your kayaker will really appreciate the gift of this reasonably priced drysuit from one of the top makers.  It has a relaxed fit, which allows for layering, and comes with integrated drysocks, relief zippers, and soft, comfortable, good-sealing latex neck and wrist gaskets.  Suitable for touring or whitewater, it has armored knees, zippered thigh, and arm pockets, and comes in a choice of colors including mango, as well as black.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak drysuits, please check out this post:  Kayak Drysuits

AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle

There is probably nothing an experienced kayaker would appreciate more to receive as a gift than a top-quality paddle like the Werner Camano.  It’s a two-piece low-angle model with a lightweight carbon shaft, durable fiberglass blades, and adjustable feathering.  Available in 11 colors and 7 lengths from 215 cm to 260 cm, there is a size to suit a range of paddlers.  Consult the manufacturer details or the gift receiver for the best length.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak paddles, please check out these posts: Kayak Paddles     Kayak Paddles for Fishing

Garmin Striker 4 Marine GPS Fish Finder

The Garmin Striker 4 has a CHIRP (Condensed High-Intensity Radar Pulse) transducer that delivers a clear display of schools of fish and underwater topography on a 3.5-inch color display and marks them for later reference using GPS.  What kayak fisherman wouldn’t love to receive it as a gift?  It’s lightweight, waterproof, and has an easy-to-use keypad for navigation.

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For more details on this model and reviews of other top GPS and fishfinder devices, please check out these posts:  Kayak Fishfinders     Marine GPS

Camillus Carbonitride Titanium G2 Sailing Knife

Every boater considers a knife to be an essential tool making it a great gift for a kayaker.  This Camillus Sailing Knife is well crafted of durable VG-10 Japanese “super steel” with a special Carbonitride Titanium non-stick coating that is non-flake and rust and corrosion-resistant, perfect for marine applications. It has a dual locking system with a 2.75-inch drop point locking blade and marine spike for rope work.  Your kayaker can keep it in a pocket or attach it with its lanyard clip.

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For more details on this knife and reviews of other top marine knives, please check out this post:  Sailing Knives

Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit

The gift of this Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit will give your kayaker more than 200 items including an emergency blanket, 6-inch shears, tweezers, a CPR kit, and a range of dressing, disinfecting, and bandaging materials.  It’s all packaged in a durable 600D TPU case that is rated at IPX7 for waterproofing (30 minutes at 1 meter), with a water-tight zipper and welded seams.  Well-organized, lightweight, and compact, any kayak has a handy space for it.

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For more details on this first aid kit and reviews of other kits, please check out this post:  First Aid Kits

Surf to Summit GTS Sport Kayak Seat

The kayak seating installed when you purchase a kayak is often not as comfortable as you might like.  Skwoosh has taken care of that by creating this wonderful replacement. It is waterproof with durable welded construction, a comfortable 20-inch padded backrest with adjustable side wings and lumbar support, and a fluidized gel pad seat.  It also has a bungee net on the seat back for stowing gear.  Your kayaker will send his blessing to you for this gift every time he goes paddling.

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YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable Soft Cooler

The YETI Hopper Flip is just what a kayaker needs to hold a dozen cold drinks and ice that easily stows for a day of paddling.  Closed-cell rubber foam keeps the contents cold and the outer DryHide high-density fabric resists punctures, UV rays, and mildew.  It’s waterproof and leakproof with a detachable padded shoulder strap and carry handles, as well as a HitchPoint grid for attaching bottle openers and accessories, and D-ring tie-down points to secure it to its place on board.

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For more details on this and other soft-sided coolers, please check out this post:  Soft Sided Coolers

YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

With heavy-duty rotomolded polyethylene construction, the YETI Roadie can take a few bumps and abrasions and easily maintain its waterproof leak-proof integrity.  Compact with a 14-can capacity, it has a bucket-style handle, vortex drainage system, non-slip feet, and tie-down slots making it easy to use and keep firmly in place on a kayak.  It makes a great gift for a day of kayaking or any outing to the beach or park.

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For more details on this and other hard shell coolers, please check out these posts:

Beach Coolers     Marine Coolers

Feedback and Comments

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